As evidenced by this pro-Blaine letter, Republican supporters across the country continued to rally for James Blaine's nomination as presidential candidate, despite his stated intention to decline such a nomination.

In this 1888 letter, S.B. Elkins states that the West Virginia delegates will be split in their votes, and notes that Blaine's letter declining the nomination has caused confusion among delegates.

The letter also mentions tariff policy, an important political issue of the day.

Transcription

Portland native Thomas Brackett Reed (1839-1902) was one of the political giants of his day.

Admitted to the Maine Bar in 1865, he soon entered politics and in 1876 was elected to the U.S. Congress from Maine's First District. He was continuously elected to that office, authoring "Reeds Rules of Procedures," a controversial measure that kept political parties from blocking House action on bills.

Reed was Speaker of the House from 1889-1891 and 1895-1898. His revitalization of Congress and his blunt but effective approach earned him the nickname of "Czar" Reed.

His disgust with the rising tide of American imperialism during and after the Spanish American War led Reed to resign from Congress. He practiced law in New York, then returned to his home on Deering Street in Portland, where he died.